Ali Baba's Tunisian Cuisine
A charming family-owned eatery in Rotorua specializing in authentic, flavorful Tunisian dishes with generous portions and warm service.
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Must-see attractions
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Ali Baba's Tunisian Cuisine
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming family-owned eatery in Rotorua specializing in authentic, flavorful Tunisian dishes with generous portions and warm service.
"This is a hidden gem in Rotorura, forget eat street and the over priced restaurants wander down the street and find this little restaurant."
Ask for Spice!
For an extra kick, request your dishes be prepared spicy. The homemade Berber sauce is also recommended.
Be Patient
Food is prepared fresh, so it may take a little time. The wait is well worth it for the delicious results.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Tunisian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 7 348 2983
Address
1146 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Flavorful Tunisian Cuisine
Indulge in fresh, vibrant Tunisian dishes packed with flavor. Generous portions and unique wraps like kascrutes are a must-try.
The Kascrute
A unique gyro-like wrap filled with seasoned meat and fresh vegetables, hailed as a standout dish by many diners.
Berber Rice with Mixed Meat
Hearty rice dish topped with tender mixed meat and a flavorful sauce, a highly recommended option for a satisfying meal.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Ask for Spice!
For an extra kick, request your dishes be prepared spicy. The homemade Berber sauce is also recommended.
Be Patient
Food is prepared fresh, so it may take a little time. The wait is well worth it for the delicious results.
Save Room for Dessert
Don't miss the homemade desserts and biscuits, which are highly recommended by reviewers.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
The restaurant can get busy, especially in the evenings during summer. Consider visiting during off-peak times or making reservations.
Tips
from all over the internet
Ask for Spice!
For an extra kick, request your dishes be prepared spicy. The homemade Berber sauce is also recommended.
Be Patient
Food is prepared fresh, so it may take a little time. The wait is well worth it for the delicious results.
Save Room for Dessert
Don't miss the homemade desserts and biscuits, which are highly recommended by reviewers.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
The restaurant can get busy, especially in the evenings during summer. Consider visiting during off-peak times or making reservations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Ali Baba's Tunisian Cuisine is praised as a hidden gem in Rotorua, offering delicious and generously portioned food with fantastic service. While some reviews mention occasional dips in quality, recent feedback indicates renewed passion from new owners, with flavors described as amazing and full of 'aroha'. The restaurant is known for its unique Tunisian dishes and value for money.
"If you only have time to eat at one place in Rotorua, this is the place! The food is fresh and amazing. Everything was perfectly seasoned and the pirtions were very generous. The service was also fantastic and the price was very reasonable. I highly recommend eating here. We actually visited 2x during our stay."
Nicole Calia
"There was only one young man working around dinner time and there was a sudden rush of customers. He did call for backup and a little while later he had an extra pair of hands to catch up on orders.
He handled the pressure like a champ and was transparent about the wait with every customer. The wait was well worth it. I enjoyed the Berber Rice Meal with lamb. I appreciate that they took time preparing each order rather than rushing to get customers out the door.
Another group ordered pizza which looked delicious. Will have to order that the next time around."
J
"We really enjoyed the Kebab wrap and Garlic fries. There was only one person as cook/cashier/waiter when we were there but he was doing all he could to make it seem like there was a whole team working. The kebab was very satisfying and the garlic sauce on the fries was a nice new flavor I hadn’t had before."
Jordan Lowe
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kascrute (gyro-like wraps) and Berber rice with mixed meat are highly recommended. Many diners also enjoy the kebabs.
You can request for dishes to be prepared spicy for an extra kick of flavor. The homemade Berber sauce adds a nice spice.
Yes, the generous portions are perfect for sharing, making it a great spot for group dining.
While not explicitly detailed, the menu includes falafel and salads which can often be made vegetarian.
The restaurant can get busy during evenings, especially in summertime. Consider visiting during off-peak hours.
Yes, it's described as family-friendly, offering budget-friendly meals.
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Best Things to Do in Rotorua
There are more than 100 different restaurants to discover in the Rotorua area, with a range of cuisines to enjoy. With so much to choose from, you will never go hungry. Moreover, the Thursday evenings feature the Rotorua night markets, where you can sample dishes from many local restaurants and get a feel for the atmosphere and personality of the area.
Rotorua Halal Food & Travel
Rating: 4.7 (779 reviews) Cuisine: Tunisian Location: 1146 Tutanekai St Opening Hours: Opens 11:30 AM Monday Contact: +64 7 348 2983. Ali Baba’s offers a delightful menu of Tunisian cuisine, featuring rich and flavorful dishes. It's a favorite for those seeking a unique halal dining experience.
New Zealand
If you’re craving falafel kebabs, gourmet pizzas and lamb kascrute, you’ll love Ali Baba’s Tunisian menu and casual ambience. This family-friendly, family-owned business offers delicious, budget-friendly Middle Eastern meals. Make sure you leave room for fresh homemade desserts and biscuits.
Best Eats and Coffee in Rotorua
Just next door to El Zapata, Ali Baba’s is delicious, fresh & quick. Easy for lunch or dinner, offering kebabs, rice meals, pastas and pizza – they are super popular on the evenings and have been known to sell-out over summertime. Be sure to try their homemade berber sauce for a spice hit!
The Food Guide to Rotorua: Places to Eat & Food Tours 🍽️ [2025]
Some other international flavours to indulge in include the Mediterranean at Ali Baba’s Tunisian Cuisine (1146 Tutanekai Street), spicy El Mexicano Zapata Cantina (1148 Tutanekai Street) and the fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza of Giovanni’s (346 Te Ngae Road).
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